The Tuskegee Airmen, a segregated unit of black pilots, commanded by Major Benjamin O. Davis, one of that rarest of beings in the WWII Army, a black officer, came, early in 1942, to Eglin Field in Florida.
And they came to Private Thad Bryson.
Thad had known little beyond his black community in Old Fort, North Carolina. He lived in a two-room house on a small farm. Nobody in North Carolina expected much from a young black man, and it didn’t occur to young Thad to expect much from himself. He vaguely knew a bigger world existed, but a young black man from the Carolinas didn’t expect to experience it.
WWII changed that expectation profoundly. He spent most of 1942, struggling through Alaska with Company B of the 97th Engineers, helping to build the Alaska Highway. But before he got near the frigid Alaska wilderness, Thad had the first Army experience that changed his expectations, his attitude and the trajectory, not only of his life, but of that of generations to come. It’s important for you to know that we heard Thad’s story from his son, Fred. And that Fred spent his life as a college professor.
More on Young Black Soldiers of the 97th
Very early in 1942, just before the Corps of Engineers dispatched them to Alaska, the segregated 97th built roads and runways at Eglin Field. Thad cooked in the mess hall. When the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the Army Air Corps—the Tuskegee Airmen–came to sharpen their bombing skills on Eglin’s practice ranges. They ate in Thad’s mess hall.
Thoroughly impressive young black men, the Airmen flew airplanes! They had been to college! And they talked “educated”. It had never occurred to Thad that black men could do those things. Was it possible he could do those things?
One day a young white lieutenant walked past Major Davis in the mess hall. In the Army lieutenants passing majors salute them, but the white lieutenant failed to render that courtesy to the black major. Thad watched, open mouthed, as Major Davis halted the lieutenant, called him to attention, and sternly collected the required gesture of respect.
When the lieutenant moved on, Thad came to rigid attention, rendered his own salute. The major returned it, smiled ever so slightly–and winked.
My dear friend. You are a master of words. Thank you very much for this very detailed information regarding the Tuskegee Airmen and my father’s role in building the Alaskan Highway. I am sure if he were present today, he would be overjoyed to know the small part he played in this wonderful story.
Since our first meeting, I have often regretted that I did not query him more on his personal experience and contribution to the building of the Alaskan Highway.
Sincere thanks to you and Christine for the tireless and unceasing effort made to make known to the world the contribution these unsung black heroes made towards the building of the Alaskan Alcan Highway.
Thank you my friends!
P.S. If you are still open to giving a presentation in dad’s hometown of Old Fort, Please contact this number for rental in the Old Fort Train Depot, 828-668-4244. Much Success!
Fred I can’t thank you enough for your kind words. And we will contact the contact you sent.
Dennis, I am in receipt of you gracious comment. your response site is just fine. I thank you.
I plan to check for additional sites if available and keep you informed. Again, thanks for the great comments on the Tuskegee Airman and dad’s role in the Alcan Highway project.